Colorado State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Adds Three
4/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
April 12, 2006
Jen Warden and her staff announce the signing of three players to the 2006-2007 roster during the first day of the spring signing period. Kelly Jo Mullaney, Nya Mason, and Joyce Cousseins join Raysha Ritter, Juanise Cornell, Lindsey Laur and Emily Neal to compose this year's class.
"In 14 years of competitive recruiting at the Division I level, this is the most complete class I've been fortunate enough to sign. It's complete in the sense of its depth, and in its talent level. It will be a class whose development will dictate the future of Colorado State women's basketball."
Kelly Jo Mullaney is a 5-8 shooting guard from the Breck School in Minneapolis, Minn. She is a high school teammate of fellow signee Emily Neal and present Ram Kelly Rae Finley. Kelly Jo averaged 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting over 50 percent from behind the arc. She is a finalist for Miss Minnesota Basketball and was the conference MVP for the Tri-Metro Conference. Mullaney is also the daughter of former Ram standout and NFL All-Pro Mark Mullaney who was drafted with the 25th overall pick in the 1975 draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
"Kelly Jo is truly a scoring talent. She is more than dangerous from behind the arc, and can create her own shot. We are nothing short of thrilled to welcome Kelly Jo on-board as a Ram."
Nya Mason, a 6-2 center from St. Mary's High School in Portland, Ore., gives the Rams a physical presence in the paint. Nya was named Mt. Hood's Player of the Year and first team all-conference her junior and senior years while averaging 22.3 points, and 13.6 rebounds per game.
"Nya has tremendous hands and has the ability to control the boards and dominate the paint. In the Mountain West, that is a must have to win a championship."
Joyce Cousseins, a 5-5 point guard from Montpelier, France, will bring a true point guard and international flair to Moby Arena. As a player in the club system, Joyce averaged 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists per game.
"Joyce is a triple threat player from the point guard position, she can hit the three, find the open player, and create her own shot. Defensively, she has quick feet and a tenacious attitude. Joyce will be a tremendous four-year player for Colorado State."
Mullaney, Mason and Cousseins will join fall signees Cornell, Laur, Neal and Ritter.
Juanise Cornell is a two-sport athlete (basketball and volleyball), with many honors in both. Her team has won the Del Rey League and CIF Championships the last two years in basketball and last season they took home the state championship and finished with a perfect record of 35-0. In 2004-05 Cornell was named to the first team Del Rey League. She was also CIF Co-Player of the and was named offensive player of the year in volleyball by her teammates for three years.
Lindsay Laur is a 6-0 forward from Minnesota. She was named to the all-conference team the last two seasons. As a senior, Laur averaged 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.7 steals per game, while shooting 56.8 percent from the floor. In 2005, Laur was also named to the all-section team and the all-state team. She has also been named team MVP.
Emily Neal is an all-conference performer at the Breck School in Minneapolis, Minn. The McDonald's High School All-American nominee has won three conference championships in basketball. She was the starting point guard on the state championship team her sophomore season and has been on the Headmaster's List every year, designated for students with a GPA higher than a 3.7. She has also volunteered for the Special Olympics the past two years.
Raysha Ritter is a 6-3 post player named Southwestern League Player of the Year and was a four-year first team all-conference performer. She was named an Adidas Top 10 All-American, as well as a McDonald's All-American nominee.
